Representatives from Kyrgyzstan and 11 other Central and South Asian countries made a historic pledge today to protect and conserve snow leopards and their habitat in the high-mountain landscapes of Asia.
Joined by conservation experts from around the world and the international donor community, the 12 nations endorsed the Bishkek Declaration on Snow Leopard Conservation and the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program. The declaration marks the first time that governments and non-governmental organisations have teamed up to conserve snow leopards and their habitat.
Like many species, the snow leopard or ‘ghost of the mountain’ is vulnerable to poaching driven by the illegal wildlife trade. In addition, snow leopards are killed by farmers in retaliation for preying on livestock, and face a declining habitat range due to overgrazing, infrastructure development and the impacts of climate change. The snow leopard is considered Endangered according the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™.
It is estimated that fewer than 7,500 snow leopards remain in the wild. The goal of the initiative is to protect 20 snow leopard landscapes that have over 100 breeding adults by 2020, and to promote sustainable development in areas where the species lives.
The summit and work of the government of the Kyrgyzstan, the World Bank, range states and the other partners is bringing the plight of the snow leopard to the attention of the world. Saving snow leopards and managing the high-mountain landscapes of Asia also helps maintain water and food security for upland and downstream communities alike. Moreover, the mountain landscapes of Asia are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Building adaptation measures for conservation, local communities and national economies into the plan will create for a more sustainable future.
WWF works with partners to raise awareness at local, national and regional levels across the snow leopard range countries about the need to conserve the species. Together with the US Agency for International Development, WWF implements climate adaptation projects, for example by expanding protected areas, diversifying livelihoods, and works to improve management of pastures, water and forests.
Stunning footage of the wild snow leopard Bayad in Pakistan from the BBC documentary “Snow Leopard: Beyond the Myth”
(Source: WWF-global news, 23.10.2013; Snow Leopard Trust, 23.10.2013)